At 23 years old, Diem Brown faced the greatest challenge of her life: she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She coped with this devastating news just as her professional life was coming together. In addition to recently landing her dream job as a reporter freelancing for the Associated Press, she had also been casted to compete on MTV's Real World/Road Rules Challenge show.

Determined not to let fear or cancer stop her from achieving her goals, Diem decided to go ahead and participate in Real World/Road Rules Challenge. But after the show concluded, Diem experienced depression and a sense of helplessness as she coped with chemotherapy, expensive medical bills and new challenges such as finding an affordable human hair wig. Friends, family and co-workers all offered to help, but Diem didn't have a way to accept, organize and keep track of the many kind offers of assistance. It was this specific situation that was the inspiration for her to create MedGift.

A unique gift registry that also combines the benefits of social media, MedGift provides a community of support for patients and an online listing of a patient's specific Needs, Wants and Wishes during treatment and recovery, similar to any other gift registry.

The Needs section enables the patient to request assistance with personal medical expenses related to treatment and recovery. At some MedGift-affiliated healthcare facilities, supporters can securely submit PayPal or credit card payments and have them post against the patient's account, directly through the MedGift site.

The Wants section lists items the patient wants that can be purchased with a gift card, such as a new wig, magazine subscriptions, medical devices, or meals to support the family.

The Wishes section includes items that provide emotional or practical support, such as prayers, child care, shopping assistance, visits, and transportation to appointments.

In addition to providing a gift registry for patients, MedGift also creates an online community through robust social media capabilities. Patients and their loved ones can share updates on their health and care, celebrate daily victories and offer comfort to help relieve the challenges that come with illness and recovery.

In short, MedGift helps patients know that they are not alone – and provides a much-needed way for loved ones to help. Diem's vision to create a loving, caring community for patients facing any type of illness or recovery has now become a reality through MedGift.

Diem Brown was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 23, an age that most people associate with fun, freedom and possibilities. She had long aspired to be a TV reporter, and in addition to attaining a freelance job with the Associated Press, Diem was selected for the MTV reality show Real World/Road Rules Challenge.

Diem was determined not to let cancer stop her from achieving her career goals and living her life to the fullest. A month after having one ovary, several lymph nodes and part of one fallopian tube removed, she traveled to Australia to participate in Real World/Road Rules Challenge. When the show was over, though, she returned home to face the many realities of coping with cancer, including intensive chemotherapy treatments.

Many people reached out and wanted to help. And Diem, who had always been very independent, realized that she did indeed need their help. But when friends and family asked what they could do, it was difficult to say, "Yes, I need a ride to my chemotherapy appointment," or harder yet, "Yes, I need help paying my medical bills."

MedGift was created to help answer the question friends and family members often ask in this situation: "What can I do?" or "How can I help?" It allows people coping with illness or health conditions to post requests for help in the form of Needs, Wants and Wishes while also providing a place to give updates, post photos, keep a blog and communicate with loved ones.

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